The United Nations Ocean Decade: A catalyst for international collaboration enhancing ocean monitoring and data | Science

In recognition of the ocean’s essential role in supporting life, the economy, and human well-being, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in 2017 declared 2021 to 2030 the Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. Under the vision of “the science we need for the ocean we want” and the mission of catalyzing transformative ocean science solutions for sustainable development, a global effort is being undertaken by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). This effort seeks to drive interdisciplinary ocean research to generate the knowledge, data, and tools needed to inform policy and support the Sustainable Development Goals through improved knowledge, innovation, and governance.